Cronje involved in match-fixing, allege Delhi police

Text of the official press release issued by the Delhi Crime Branch on April 7, 2000:

The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police has been able to unearth an International racket in cricket match-fixing and betting.

Based on available information, a case FIR No. 111 of cheating, fraud and criminal conspiracy has been registered at PS Chankaya Puri on April 6, 2000 and one Rajesh Kalra, r/o Greater Kailash II, New Delhi, has been arrested.

Available information with Anti Extortion Cell of Crime Branch Inspector Ishwar Singh and ACP Rishi Pal, revealed that some businessmen of India were in contact with certain South African players for match-fixing in the recently held Pepsi Cup one-day international cricket series between India and South Africa. As such, as per provisions of laws, requisite permission for monitoring the telephone/cell phone was obtained. The South African cricket player participating in the conspiracy to fix the matches in consideration for money was identified as Hansie Cronje. One of the conspirations was identified as Sanjeev alias Sanjay, r/o Jungpura, New Delhi. The meeting between the South African cricket captain and Sanjeev had taken place in Room No 346 of Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi, on March 14, 2000.

From the conversation between Sanjeev @ Sanjay and Hansie Cronje it emerges that the one-day international cricket matches between India and South Africa played recently in India, in March 2000, were fixed for exchange consideration of money. Those involved in such fixing have illegally amassed huge sums of money both in Indian and foreign currencies and made huge gains by wrongful means and by clearly deceiving the cricket fans and general public.

When such matches are organized at the international level amongst the respective national teams, they represent their respective countries and national pride is attached with them. The people at large go to see these matches, under the belief that the matches will be played honestly and fairly and there would be no dishonest dealings compromising the result of the match or any part of it. General public had purchased the entry tickets to witness the match and many others had also travelled from distant places to witness the same. Since the fact that some people have conspired to alter the normal course of these matches by use of big money they have dishonestly concealed the fact that there would be no honest and fair game and have thereby caused deception on the people. People had parted with their money property by way of purchase of tickets amounting to wrongful loss to them. By engaging in such activities these people have put the general public to a wrongful loss and have illegally increased large sums of money and made wrongful gain to themselves thereby committing the offence of criminal conspiracy and cheating.

From the recorded conservation, it has transpired that between the people large amount of foreign exchange has also changed hands through hawala dealings for onwards payment to the South African team members who were part of the criminal conspiracy. These foreign exchange violations are being brought to the notice of the Enforcement Directorate separately.